Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker

ABSTRACT

The present provides a water proof hooded poncho designed specifically for the riders of bicycles and motorcycles, to store within a zippered seat pouch and provide instant access when needed. The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker incorporates Velcro™ fastening straps within the seat pad storage, utilized to ensure a close fit when a rider is moving through wind and rain.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/572,429 filed Jul. 15, 2011, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of outer gear, and more specifically to the field of outer gear for inclement weather.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for outer gear used in inclement weather. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,933 to Larry W. Love describes a poncho and cushion combination for use as a protective weather garment while sitting. The cushion rests below the spectator's buttocks when standing while wearing the poncho. The cushion is then readily available for the spectator to sit down on. The poncho has an extension sheet that can be rolled together with the poncho and fastened to the cushion for storage.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,725 to Barney J. Brewer describes a convertible poncho adapted for use as a protective covering for bicycles and motorcycles and the like, as a ground cover or a protective rainwear for the rider.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,852 to Dwight S. Meeks describes a storm cushion having an attached stylish and protective foul or cold weather garment in the interior thereof. The cushion is used as a conventional cushion plus the garment is available for unfolding from the interior of the cushion if sitting in inclement weather conditions.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hooded poncho and rain slicker for use by a cyclist in inclement weather.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side illustrative view of a rider on a bicycle wearing the present invention showing a visor on a protective hood.

FIG. 2 is perspective functional view of the present invention showing a visor on a protective hood and a pull cord with a cord lock located below the hood and wrist area.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of the underside of a bicycle seat, showing a slip on pocket, a strap and a compacted poncho stowed inside a padded seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker, is an improvement of the emergency foul weather gear that bicycle or motorcycle riders carry when riding. Any bicycle or motorcycle rider who has been caught unprepared in a sudden squall or downpour usually tells a harrowing story. Most of the foul weather gear available to bicyclists and bikers is expensive and too bulky to carry comfortably. The adorned gear flaps and whips in the wind, slows the rider's progress and may leak and keep the rider wet.

The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker of the present invention is a water proof hooded poncho designed specifically for the riders of bicycles and motorcycles, to store within a zippered seat pouch and provide instant access when needed. The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker incorporates Velcro™ fastening straps within the seat pad storage, utilized to ensure a close fit when a rider is moving through wind and rain. The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker product comprises a foul weather garment for cyclists and motorcyclists, and complete system for storing, accessing and wearing such the garment. The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker is produced in a lightweight but waterproof and wind resistant vinyl material, a material often used for inexpensive ponchos designed for emergency use by backpackers and hikers. This choice of material keeps production costs down, along with wholesale and retail prices. An alternate embodiment of the present invention comprises breathable Gore-Tex® fabric which makes present invention more expensive, but provides greater comfort and a longer product life. The seams of the Slicker and the pad/pouch are sealed for greater water resistance.

Pull cords are incorporated around the hood and wrist areas allowing the user to secure the Poncho around their face and wrists during inclement weather.

The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker folds down into a compact unit, to be stowed in a zippered pouch. This pouch fastens to the underside of a bicycle or motorcycle seat in a form fitting fashion, by a set of lengthwise and transverse Velcro™ equipped straps which run under the seat. A slip pocket located at the front of the pouch prevents any shifting of the pouch while in motion. This seat pad pouch is composed of a waterproof nylon or similar material as the Rain Slicker and measures approximately six and one half inches to seven inches in width with an overall length measuring approximately eight and one half inches. An elasticized skirting depth, which surrounds the side of the seat, measures approximately three inches. The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker is produced in two sizes, one size fits all for men and one size fits all for women. The nylon zipper extends almost an entire periphery of the seat pad pouch, with a pull tab located at the rear of the seat.

To access the Poncho, a rider dismounts their bike, unzips the retaining zipper and pulls the folded Poncho out. The design embodiment of the present invention comprises a poncho with a hooded visor. This embodiment incorporates pull cords for sizing the garment and securing it snugly. This embodiment also incorporates pull cords for securing the top of the garment where a hood resides with an opening for one's head. The present invention is produced in a variety of neon colors for greater rider visibility in inclement weather, and also in neutral colors.

The Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker is a self contained and self stowing foul weather poncho that doubles as a seat pad for bicycles and motorcycles. Using the Hooded Poncho Rain Slicker provides cyclists with an easily carried, instantly accessible, and snugly fitting piece of rain gear.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

1. An improved hooded rain poncho and slicker for use by a cyclist in inclement weather, comprising: a water proof hooded poncho having pull cords incorporated around the hood and wrist areas to allow the user to secure the Poncho around their face and wrists during inclement weather;
 2. The rain poncho of claim 1 comprised of a lightweight but waterproof and wind resistant vinyl material.
 3. The rain poncho of claim 1 comprised of Gore-Tex® fabric.
 4. The rain poncho of claim 1 further comprising a zippered seat pouch for mounted under the seat for easy storage and access of the poncho.
 5. The rain poncho of claim 4 further comprising Velcro™ fastening straps inside the seat pouch, said straps utilized to ensure a close fit when a rider is moving through wind and rain.
 6. The poncho of claim 4 wherein the seams of the poncho and the pouch are sealed for greater water resistance.
 7. The poncho of claim 4 wherein the poncho folds down into a compact unit, for storage in the pouch, and wherein the pouch fastens to the underside of a bicycle or motorcycle seat in a form fitting fashion, by a set of lengthwise and transverse Velcro™ equipped straps which run under the seat.
 8. The poncho of claim 7 further comprising a slip pocket located at the front of the pouch to prevent any shifting of the pouch while in motion.
 9. The poncho of claim 7 wherein the pouch is composed of a waterproof nylon or similar material as the poncho and the pouch measures approximately six and one half inches to seven inches in width with an overall length measuring approximately eight and one half inches.
 10. The poncho of claim 4 wherein the poncho is produced in two sizes, one size fits all for men and one size fits all for women.
 11. The poncho of claim 4 wherein the poncho is Produced in a variety of neon colors for greater rider visibility in inclement weather, and also in neutral colors. 